A Hole-By-Hole Look at the Best and Worst Shots in Masters History: The Second 9

PREVIOUSLY: The Best and Worst Shots in Masters History: The Front 9

Masters week is finally here.  And to help you get ready for the 79th edition of The Masters, I'm looking back at the best and worst shots in Masters history on each hole at Augusta National.

From shots that directly impacted the outcome of the tournament, to others that were impossibly shocking, miserable, or symbolic in their own right, every hole has a story to tell. 

 

78 years, over 3,000 different players, and more than one-million shots taken. These are the legendary bests and worsts forever etched in Masters lore. 

A Hole-By-Hole Look at the Best and Worst Shots in Masters History: The Front 9

NEXT: The Best and Worst Shots in Masters History: The Second 9. 

Masters week is finally here.  And to help you get ready for the 79th edition of The Masters, I'm looking back at the best and worst shots in Masters history on each hole at Augusta National.

From shots that directly impacted the outcome of the tournament, to others that were impossibly shocking, miserable, or symbolic in their own right, every hole has a story to tell. 

 

78 years, over 3,000 different players, and more than one-million shots taken. These are the legendary bests and worsts forever etched in Masters lore. 

Wilson Staff FG Tour TC Gun Blue Wedges: Hands On Preview

Every once in a while you pick up a new club, and almost instantly it just feels amazing.  And sometimes?  It's even better than amazing. 

That was my experience a few months ago at the 2015 PGA Merchandise Show when I hit the Wilson Staff FG Tour TC Gun Blue wedges for the first time. 

 

Soft feel and incredible balance made hitting them a breeze.  But that was just the beginning. 

FootJoy HyperFlex BOA Golf Shoes - Exclusive Hands-On Preview

If I said to you, "let's talk about precision and customization," would you think we're going to talk about our irons?  Our drivers and shafts?  Maybe even our putters? 

Well you might be surprised.  We'd be talking about our golf shoes.  And more specifically, the new FootJoy Hyperflex BOA golf shoes. 

 

The HyperFlex BOA deliver customizable precision fit, with even closure, no pressure points, and infinite degrees of fine tuning. 

The BOA won't be available until April 15th, but here's an exclusive hands-on preview with a few impressions and pictures.  I'll also have a full on-course review once the season opens for play here in Ohio within a few weeks. 

2015 Fujikura Speeder Cap Giveaway

Fujikura Golf officially launched their new Speeder Evolution and Speeder Pro shafts at the 2015 PGA Merchandise Show.  And if the response from those in attendance is any indication, expect to see legions of Evolution and Pro shafts in play this year. 

I brought you exclusive sneak peeks of the Speeder Evolution and Speeder Pro prior to the PGA Show.  And will have reviews of both shafts for you soon as well... think volcanic eruption. 

 

But this week I'm giving away a new 2015 Fujikura Speeder Tour cap to one lucky winner. 

A Look Inside The 2015 PGA Merchandise Show: Demo Day

The annual PGA Merchandise Show is billed as "The Major of Golf Business." Some say it's Disney World for the golf nut. 

But after making my way through 10 miles of show isles, one-million square feet of interactive exhibits, and countless new product demonstrations at the 2015 PGA Show, I can tell you it's so much more. 

 

The PGA Merchandise Show is literally the greatest week in golf.

Exclusive First Look: 2015 Fujikura Speeder Pro Shafts

Fujikura might be the most consistent shaft company in the golf industry.  And by that I mean you can always count on Fujikura to deliver a shaft that lives up to the marketing hype. 

So if you were one of the many players who absolutely raved about the highly popular Fujikura Pro shaft last year?  Well,  Fujikura is at it again. 

 

Fujikura's new Speeder Pro shaft promises better energy storage, transfer, and feel.  Which of course means more speed, more power, and more distance.  And who doesn't like that?

Exclusive First Look: Wilson Staff 2015 DUO & DUO Spin golf balls

Imagine if you will.  A Wilson Staff DUO golf ball.  The World's Softest Golf Ball.  The number one selling distance golf ball in 2014 according to Golf Datatach. 

  

But now imagine that DUO golf ball... evolving.  A DUO that's even softer.  A DUO that's even longer.  A DUO that delivers the added benefit of more greenside spin.

Happy Birthday Tiger Woods: A look back in pictures at Tiger's 14 Major victories

Tiger Woods is coming off his worst season as a professional in 2014.  And Woods hasn't won a major since his legendary 2008 U.S. Open victory on one leg. 

  

But today Tiger is happy.  Not just because it's his 39th birthday.  Tiger is happy because he's healthy again.  And he's excited about what that could mean in 2015 as he continues his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus' record 18 major championships.

1st Annual PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway

This post will be a little different than my other posts.  Of course it's about my 1st Annual PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway. 

But it's also about thanks. 

 

Golf has given me much to be thankful for.  I earn my living as a golf writer, and absolutely love what I do.  I meet wonderful people every day.  I learn something new every day.  And have become good friends with many of you. 

Fujikura Speeder Evolution Golf Cap Giveaway - TWO Winners

A few months back I previewed the new Fujikura Speeder Evolution shaft, and couldn't wait to get my hands on it.  I was genuinely curious to see if the Evolution really is a quantum leap over the original Speeder. 

Since then I've been testing the Speeder Evolution 757 in the new Titleist 915 D2 driver.  And let's just say I'm not curious anymore.  I'm a true believer. 

 

Compared to the original Speeder, the Evolution has a smoother, more powerful kick.  And quite honestly, that "smoked it again" feeling after almost every shot just might put a permanent smile on my face. 

I'll have an in-depth review on both after the holidays. But this week I'm giving away a couple of new Fujikura Speeder Tour caps to TWO lucky winners. 

Ben Hogan Golf returns in 2015

Legendary homecomings in sports don't happen very often.  And next year the golf world is bracing for what's already the most anticipated return of the season. 

 

Ben Hogan Golf comes home to Fort Worth in 2015, and will introduce new Hogan clubs on the market for the first time in seven years. 

Nike Golf reveals the new Lunar Control 3 golf shoes

How do you make one of the most stable and comfortable golf shoes on the market even more stable and comfortable?  You incorporate feedback from the No. 1 player in golf of course. 

 

Nike Golf is unveiling the new Lunar Control 3 golf shoes this week at the DP World Golf Championship in Dubai.  And Rory McIlroy is obviously excited. 

Congratulations to my Piretti Golf Fine Putters Magnetic Ball Marker Giveaway Winners!

Everyone had a lot of fun with my Piretti Golf Fine Putters Ball Marker Giveaway. 

 

Here are the FIVE winners. 

Piretti Golf Fine Putters Magnetic Ball Marker Giveaway - FIVE Winners

Piretti Fine Putters has quietly established itself as one of the golf world's leading custom milled putter companies. 

And I can attest to the artisan's touch and exceptional feel of their putters. Here's a picture of my Piretti Bosa. 

 

But Piretti's craftsmanship doesn't end with their putters.  Their magnetic ball markers are smart and sophisticated.  And I have an assortment to give away to FIVE lucky winners. 

Johnny Manziel to appear on Golf Digest December cover

As part of their "Golfers Who Give Back" issue, Golf Digest has decided to go with Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel as the 2014 December cover boy. 

 

Manziel describes himself a "7 or 8" handicap, and poses in orange and brown striped socks on the cover, looking like he came straight out of a "Johnny Jam Boogie" commercial.

Ian Poulter switches to Titleist and Footjoy

Ian Poulter is many things to many people.  He's a Ryder Cup hero.  He's the tartan spartan of IJP Design.  He's a hilarious trickster on twitter.  And now Poulter is also Titleist's newest superstar. 

 

Poulter announced on twitter today he'll begin playing Titleist equipment and wearing Footjoy golf shoes in 2015.  His bag will likely include Titleist's new 915 woods, 714 MB and CB irons, and Vokey SM5 wedges.  Poulter already plays the Titleist Pro V1 ball.

New Fujikura Speeder Evolution Shafts for 2015

We've all done it.  Obsessed about finding the perfect shaft for our driver. Unfortunately even when we find that magical combination of flex, weight, and feel, shaft performance can remain inconsistent or inefficient.  And so we keep searching. 

Enter the new Fujikura Speeder Evolution shaft, due out in 2015.  As the name suggests, it's an evolution of Fujikura's wildly popular Speeder shaft. 

 

But the Speeder Evolution isn't merely about improvement.  It's about Fujikura's pursuit of perfection, and desire to bring you closer to that holy grail of shafts. 

PGAPappas October Free Golf Giveaway

Every month all year long I've been giving one of my twitter followers a FREE ROUND of GOLF for FOUR to some of the best courses in the United States and Canada. 

 

And for October I decided "Trick or Treat" is out, and "Treat and Treat" is in.  So I'm giving away a free round for four to TWO of my twitter followers. 

Tommy Hilfiger Golf Spring 2015 Collection

The Spring 2015 Tommy Hilfiger Golf collection embraces the "Heartland" of Middle America, where the great outdoors mix with small town charm in some of the most picturesque and interesting places the country has to offer. 

The exploration of America's midland begins at the Gallatin River in Montana.  Time-honored classics are reinvented with a modern palette of bold blues and greens, punctuated by pops of black and white. 

  

Stripes are the predominant pattern, juxtaposed against color blocking, ombre gradients, and subtle plaids.  The aesthetic exudes a relaxed, summertime feel with an adventurous spirit.